Goodenough

Volcanic field in Papua New Guinea

Key Facts

Elevation

220 m (722 ft)

Type

Volcanic field

Location

-9.358°, 150.246°

Region

Trobriand Volcanic Province

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Goodenough is a roughly circular volcanic island that is the westernmost of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands off the NE tip of Papua New Guinea. Several basaltic andesite and andesitic Holocene eruptive centers are located around the margins of fault-bounded metamorphic rocks that form the central part the island. The youngest volcanic features, which include the Walilagi Cones, are located at the SE end of the island.

These well-developed ash cones and blocky lava flows on the N and E flanks of the Bwaido Peninsula may have erupted within the past few hundred years.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Evidence Credible

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Southwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 253041
•Evidence: Evidence Credible
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Goodenough (center) is the roughly circular volcanic island that is the westernmost of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands in this NASA satellite image with north to the upper right. Several Holocene eruptive centers that may be only a few hundred years old are located around the margins of fault-bounded metamorphic rocks that form the central part of Goodenough Island. The youngest volcanic features, which include the Walilagi Cones, are located at the SE end of the island on the Bwaido Peninsula (lower center).

NASA Space Shuttle image STS44-83-79, 1991 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).